Deciphering Library Experience of Rural Gen-Z Women: Insights from the LibQUAL Survey

Sehrish Shahzadi () and Ayesha Khalid
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Sehrish Shahzadi: Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh Campus, Bagh, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
Ayesha Khalid: Superior University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan3Akhuwat College University, Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan

Journal of Information & Knowledge Management (JIKM), 2025, vol. 24, issue 03, 1-20

Abstract: This research quantifies the female students of the rural area of Bagh (Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan) regarding library users’ satisfaction through LibQUAL’s 22 core items. This study focusses on the three dimensions of LibQUAL namely the affect of service (AS), information control (IC) and library as place (LP). A total of 280 usable questionnaires were collected from the Gen-Z cohort through random stratified sampling. Path coefficient and t-test analysis extensively assessed the major differences between satisfaction and the available services. Notably, the IC dimension significantly lags behind Gen-Z students’ expectations, as evidenced by 100% disagreement. The results highlight the significance of investing in electronic resources and remote access facilities. This study significantly contributes to SDG5 on gender equality. First, it enriches the existing LibQUAL literature. Second, it expands the understanding of female library users’ expectations. Finally, this study introduces the rural background as a significant factor associated with the three dimensions of library services.

Keywords: SDG5; gender equality; affect of service; information control; university libraries; Generation-Z women; library as place; LibQUAL; Pakistan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1142/S0219649225500236

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